Scotland overpower Islanders
By Mark Kendall
Last Updated: 01/01/70 1:00am
Scotland beat the Pacific Islanders 34-22, but sustained a couple of serious injuries.
International Test match, Scotland v Pacific Islands, Murrayfield, Saturday November 18
Scotland maintained their perfect record in the November international series with a 34-22 victory over the Pacific Islands on Saturday.
The hosts had all but killed the game by half-time having assumed a commanding 31-5 advantage thanks to tries from Marcus Di Rollo, Doug Callum, Kelly Brown and Andrew Henderson, but found the going tougher after the interval.
However, the win came at a price for the hosts who sustained two serious-looking injuries, with both Chris Cusiter and Johnny Beattie forced from the pitch.
Scrum-half Cusiter picked up a shoulder complaint, while Beattie was taken for X-rays on a suspected fractured ankle.
The Scots, buoyed by their rout of Romania last weekend, flew out of the traps and immediately made clear their intention to attack at every opportunity.
However, the early momentum was halted by Beattie's premature exit, which arrived after a heavy hit at a ruck by Tongan prop Taufa'ao Felise.
Di Rollo boosted morale just before the quarter-hour mark as he nipped through a gap in midfield to touch down close to the posts with Chris Paterson converting, but when Cusiter departed soon after the Murrayfield crowd were noticeably subdued.
They did not have long to wait to rediscover their voices, though, as a raking Daniel Parks' pass allowed Callam to race over in the corner - Paterson added the extras from out wide with the minimum of fuss.
The Islanders found themselves a man light as back-rower Epi Taione was sin-binned and were made to pay as Brown cantered over for try number three.
Another close range effort from Henderson allowed Paterson to kick a fourth conversion and Scotland looked set for a cricket score.
But the visitors finally made an impression on the score-board when Fijian Rupeni Caucaunibuca finished off some good work by Tusi Pisi to touch down, although Paterson quickly responded as he belted a penalty from fully 50 metres just before the half-time whistle.
However, just as Scotland had done in the opening 40 minutes, the Islanders made a rip-roaring start to the second and snatched two quick scores with Kameli Ratuvou capitalising on an error from Sean Lamont and then Daniel Leo rounding off a flowing move with a confident finish.
The Scots regrouped but could not turn pressure into points and eventually claimed their only score of the second half when Di Rollo slotted a drop-goal.
But the final word went to the Islanders who added some real respectability to the scoreline with a fourth try of their own, Ratuvou steaming over and Pisi adding his first successful conversion.
